Sheriff: Firearms, narcotics seized in raid of former cop's residence and businesses

LAKEPORT -- The service of a search warrant by the sheriff's narcotics task force on Friday resulted in the arrest of a former Lakeport police officer and the seizure of stolen property, marijuana, firearms, cash and several vehicles.

Taken into custody was Richard Edward Erickson, 60, of Lakeport, who faces charges that include possession of stolen property, manufacturing a controlled substance, being armed while committing a drug offense, cultivation of marijuana, and possession of marijuana for sale, according to Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Public Information Officer Steve Brooks.

Erickson, an 11-year veteran of the Lakeport Police Department when he was terminated in 2006, remained in custody Tuesday at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, with a bail set at $150,000.

In a news release Tuesday afternoon, the LCSO reported further details on the Friday morning raid of Erickson's Lakeport residence and the three businesses that he operated in Lakeport and Ukiah, according to Brooks.

At Erickson's residence on the 4000 block of Scotts Valley Road, narcotic detectives located more than 80 marijuana plants in two separate plots, Brooks stated.

In a garage on the property, detectives found 10 pounds of concentrated cannabis along with digital scales, packaging materials and price lists, according to Brooks, said that a large barn on the property was outfitted with marijuana grow lights, but were not in use.

The businesses that authorities searched were A-1 Alarm and Lock in Lakeport, Envy Tanning Salon in Lakeport and Reflections of Avalon in Ukiah, which authorities allege were either owned or operated by Erickson.

Reflections of Avalon, according to Brooks, "was a fully functional marijuana store front where Erickson was buying and selling processed marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana plants for profit," which is illegal in Ukiah.

During a search of the business, detectives located and seized 167 marijuana plants, found marijuana plants that were marked with prices and the strain of plant, and seized a large amount of processed marijuana and food products containing marijuana, as well as a butane concentrated cannabis (hashish) lab, according to Brooks.

Inside the office area, detectives located and opened three safes, including a large gun safe that contained packaged processed marijuana and cash, the news release stated.

Contents of safes included Methadone and Oxycontin pills, processed marijuana, concentrated cannabis and approximately $4,000, according to Brooks.

As detectives were executing the search warrant, "no less than 10 customers arrived at the business to purchase marijuana," the news release stated. "Two individuals also called the business while detectives were there. One of the individuals said he wanted to sell 17 marijuana plants and the other wanted to sell three pounds of processed marijuana. Both subjects were arrested when they arrived to sell their product. The detectives noticed a sign attached to the front counter, in front of the cash register. The sign read 'Attention: Temporarily credit card charges will show up on your statement as A-1 Alarm & Lock Lakeport Ca. Thank You.'"

A search of Erickson's A-1 Alarm and Lock business in Lakeport resulted in the discovery of a Thompson replica machine gun with both a 25-round and a 50-round magazine, Brooks stated. During the service of the search warrant, 16 firearms were seized and 447 marijuana plants were eradicated, Brooks stated.

Detectives also located and seized approximately 12 pounds of concentrated cannabis (hashish), approximately 15 pounds of processed marijuana and $16,000, Brooks stated in the news release.

A total of three Harley Davidson motorcycles, two Sea-Doo Jet Ski's, Kawasaki 4X4 Gator style utility vehicle and a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup were also seized for asset forfeiture proceedings, according to authorities.

Erickson was terminated from his job with the Lakeport Police Department in 2006 and arrested shortly after on charges of the misappropriating government funds for allegedly using police department equipment and time for personal reasons. He was also accused of having an affair with an 18-year-old woman.

He was defended at the time by Don Anderson, who was elected Lake County District Attorney in 2010. Erickson was acquitted in 2007.